Walton County District Attorney's Office

08/30/2026

Last week, W. Cliff Howard was sworn in as Acting District Attorney for the Alcovy Judicial Circuit following Judge Randy McGinley’s appointment to the Superior Court bench.

A career prosecutor with more than three decades of experience, Howard has served the Alcovy Judicial Circuit for the past 20 years. He began his prosecutorial career with the DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office, where he served as Chief Assistant Solicitor-General from 1990 to 1998. He joined the Walton County District Attorney’s Office in 2006, becoming Deputy Chief in 2012 and Chief Assistant District Attorney in 2021.

Howard earned his bachelor’s degree from Furman University and his Juris Doctor from Mercer University. He and his wife have two sons and reside in Walton County.

08/12/2026

From DA Randy McGinley:

This afternoon, Governor Kemp will swear me in as the next Superior Court Judge of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit. It has been the honor of my life time to serve Walton and Newton Counties as a prosecutor for the last almost 15 years. Just 2 weeks after law school graduation, then DA Layla Zon took a chance on me, hiring me as an Assistant District Attorney. Then in 2020, the citizens of Newton and Walton County had the confidence in me to vote me in as the elected District Attorney. It has been an incredible journey and I am so grateful for all the love and support over the years.

The staff of both offices have and continue to serve our communities with excellence. It is not an exaggeration to say that any success I have had is because of the amazing people I have had the honor to work with. Thank you for all you have done and I look forward to seeing the amazing things you do in the future.

What does that mean moving forward? The DA’s Office will remain in the incredibly capable and talent hands of the awesome Assistant District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Advocates and Office Staff. Chief ADA Cliff Howard becomes Acting DA upon my swearing in as judge. From there, Governor Kemp will appoint the next District Attorney; that process is already underway. That appointed DA will then serve out the remainder of my term, until the 2028 election.

07/27/2026

07/02/2026

Happy 250th to America!

The DA's Office is closed Friday, July 3 and will reopen Monday, July 6. Please enjoy the great weekend and be safe!

07/02/2026

Update on Benjamin Ramey Conviction:

Benjamin Seth Ramey was convicted by a Walton County jury on May 8, 2026 of Enticing a Child for Indecent Purposes and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Yesterday, the case was back before Senior Judge Mingledorff for a sentencing hearing.

After hearing from both the State and the defense, the Court accepted the State's recommendation and sentenced Ramey to 35 years with the first 25 years in prison, the remainder on probation.

07/02/2026

This morning, the Social Circle Police Department brought breakfast to the District Attorney's Office in recognition of the hard work by everyone in our office. Chief Jason Guest then presented a plaque to our office which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Social Circle Police Department. This plaque, which includes each of the patches that officers have worn during the history of the Department states that it is "Presented with our sincere appreciation to District Attorney Randy McGinley and the Prosecutors, Investigators, and Staff of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office."

A very big thank you to Chief Guest and his entire team. We are very grateful to work with such a wonderful Department to help keep Social Circle and the Alcovy Circuit safe and a great place to live and raise a family.

06/21/2026

“Fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.”

Happy Father’s Day!

06/18/2026

The District Attorney's Office, along with the courthouse and other county offices, will be closed tomorrow, in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen Monday, June 22, at 8am.

06/05/2026

Guilty verdict in child molestation and child po*******hy trial:

Late yesterday afternoon, a Walton County jury reached a verdict in the State v. David Allen Francescutti. The Defendant was found guilty of all counts against him: Aggravated Child Molestation, 2 counts of Child Molestation, In**st, and 8 Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child.

The State began its presentation of evidence with the victim recounting the abuse by the Defendant. The jury then heard from two other relatives of the Defendant that testified that the Defendant also molested them when they were younger.

During the investigation, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s cell phone. Numerous photos and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was found on his phone, including one photo made by the Defendant.

After hearing the evidence and closing arguments, the jury deliberated for about an hour before returning the guilty verdicts.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Randy McGinley, Victim Services Director Kim Kelly, and Chief Investigator Josh Chambers. The arrest and investigation was handled by the City of Monroe Police Department along with assistance from the Gwinnett County Police. The victim received services from A Child's Voice Child Advocacy Center.

After the verdict, the Court proceeded to the sentencing hearing. The victims and family read victim impact statements detailing to the Court how these crimes have affected them. The Court then sentenced the Defendant (who is now 40 years old) to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole followed by life on probation.

“Three brave young women came into court to testify about the Defendant’s abuse. Because of them, the Defendant has been held responsible for his actions and now will serve decades in prison. I also want to thank the Monroe Police Department and Gwinnett Police Department detectives and officers for their hard work on this case.”

Randy McGinley
District Attorney
Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Late yesterday afternoon, a Walton County jury reached a verdict in the State v. David Allen Francescutti. The Defendant was found guilty of all counts against him: Aggravated Child Molestation, 2 counts of Child Molestation, In**st, and 8 Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child. The State began it...

06/03/2026

On June 1, 2026, Representative Bruce Williamson came to the Walton County Judicial Center to present a State of Georgia flag to the Walton County District Attorney’s Office. But this was not just any Georgia flag. The flag was recently flown above the Capitol of the State of Georgia and came with a certificate signed by Governor Brian Kemp and Marty Smith, Executive Director of the Georgia Building Authority.

Representative Williamson was born and raised in Monroe, GA and has served as a State Representative since 2010. He presented this flag today to honor the hard work of the District Attorney’s Office and for their service to the citizens of Walton County.

On this honor, District Attorney Randy McGinley said, “I want to thank Representative Bruce Williamson for honoring the members of the District Attorney’s Office today. The District Attorney’s Office strives to protect victims, provide justice, and keep our communities safe. Our Office is grateful to have a leader like Representative Williamson at the Capitol who shares these goals. As your District Attorney, I extend my personal gratitude for his recognition of the hard work of my office. My entire office cares deeply for this community and the personal recognition by someone of Representative Williamson’s stature is extremely appreciated.”

“I very much appreciate the leadership of our District Attorney, Randy McGinley, and the hard work and effectiveness of the Walton County District Attorney’s Office,” said Representative Bruce Williamson.

Williamson for Walton

On June 1, 2026, Representative Bruce Williamson came to the Walton County Judicial Center to present a State of Georgia flag to the Walton County District Attorney’s Office. But this was not just any Georgia flag. The flag was recently flown above the Capitol of the State of Georgia and came with...